title: Evaluation of lorcaserin for the treatment of obesity.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Obesity is an epidemic associated with significant morbidity. Lorcaserin , a novel serotonin 2C receptor antagonist, was recently approved as an adjunct to lifestyle modification for long-term weight loss and maintenance. Clinical studies in patients without diabetes demonstrated 5.8% mean weight loss from baseline with lorcaserin compared to 2.5% with placebo and over twice as many patients achieved ≥ 5% weight loss. Patients with diabetes achieved mean weight loss of 4.5% with lorcaserin compared to 1.5% with placebo as well as modest improvements in glycemic outcomes.
  
  
  METHODS
  The authors review the pharmacology and clinical efficacy as well as the safety and tolerability of lorcaserin. This was achieved through a PubMed search (1960 - present) on lorcaserin to generate the key literature in the area. The lorcaserin package insert and Food and Drug Administration briefing documents were also used to identify relevant information. To assess long-term clinical efficacy and safety, the authors used studies with a minimum duration of one year.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Lorcaserin induces moderate but significant weight loss compared to placebo as an adjunct to lifestyle modification. Although head-to-head comparison trials are not available, lorcaserin is likely less effective but better tolerated than its recently approved competitor, phentermine/topiramate. Cardiovascular outcome data will be invaluable in determining lorcaserin's eventual utilization and place in therapy.
authors.affiliation: Wayne State University, Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Department of Pharmacy Practice, Detroit, MI 48201, USA.
authors.forename: Helen D
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Berlie
authors.forename: Kathryn M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Hurren
mesh_terms: D001552:Benzazepines / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D017326:Clinical Trials, Phase III as Topic; D004347:Drug Interactions; D005632:Fructose / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D044405:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2C / Q000187:drug effects; D000077236:Topiramate; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D001552:Benzazepines; D044405:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2C; D000077236:Topiramate; D005632:Fructose; C506658:lorcaserin